Did a woman claiming to be from Ukraine persuade you to send money using a false identity, fake documents or a fabricated emergency?
You can report the case from the United States, but sending one emotional email with hundreds of unsorted screenshots is rarely enough.
A stronger report should explain who contacted you, what she claimed, how the relationship developed, what representations caused you to send money, who received the payments and why you now believe the story was fraudulent.
This guide explains how to report a suspected Ukrainian romance scam to:
- the Cyberpolice of Ukraine;
- the National Police of Ukraine;
- the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center;
- the Federal Trade Commission;
- your bank or payment provider;
- the dating site, social network or messenger involved.
Important: This article provides general information, not legal representation. Filing a report does not guarantee that a criminal investigation will be opened, that a suspect will be prosecuted or that your money will be recovered.

What to Do Immediately After Discovering the Scam
Time matters, especially when the last payment was recent.
1. Stop sending money
Do not send one final payment for a ticket, visa, hospital bill, customs fee, frozen bank account, lawyer, debt or alleged police expense.
Scammers frequently describe the newest payment as the final obstacle. After it is paid, another emergency usually appears.
2. Contact your bank or payment provider
Tell the company that you believe the payment was induced by fraud. Ask whether it can:
- stop a pending transfer;
- recall a bank wire;
- reverse a card transaction;
- freeze the recipient transaction;
- open a fraud investigation;
- contact the recipient bank;
- preserve transaction records for law enforcement.
The possibility of recovery depends on the payment method, timing and destination. No private investigator can guarantee a refund.
The Federal Trade Commission advises romance-scam victims to contact the bank, card issuer, wire-transfer company, gift-card provider or cryptocurrency platform immediately and ask whether the payment can be reversed.
3. Preserve the evidence before blocking anyone
Do not delete the conversation or close the account before saving the evidence.
Capture:
- the complete dating profile;
- profile URLs and identification numbers;
- usernames and display names;
- the complete conversation history;
- dates and times of important messages;
- photographs, videos and voice messages;
- documents and payment instructions;
- promises made immediately before each payment;
- changes in the woman’s name, age, city or story.
Whenever possible, preserve original files rather than only screenshots. Do not edit, crop or rename the only copy of an important document.
4. Do not announce the investigation
Do not threaten the suspected scammer, publish her alleged identity or tell her that you are preparing a police report.
Early confrontation may lead to deleted profiles, destroyed conversations, changed phone numbers and emptied payment accounts.
Is It a Bad Relationship or Criminal Fraud?
A disappointing online relationship is not automatically a criminal offense.
A woman may lose interest, speak with several men, exaggerate her feelings or cancel a meeting. These facts alone do not necessarily establish fraud.
Under Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, fraud generally involves taking another person’s property or obtaining a property right through deception or abuse of confidence.
A stronger romance-fraud case normally contains evidence that:
- material facts were deliberately fabricated;
- the false information existed before the payment;
- the victim relied on that information;
- money or property was transferred because of the deception;
- the recipient or organizer benefited from the transfer;
- the same pattern may have been used repeatedly or against several victims.
Examples may include:
- a fake legal identity;
- a stolen passport;
- a nonexistent hospital treatment;
- a fabricated visa or airline ticket;
- a false claim that money is required at the Ukrainian border;
- a fake agency, lawyer or government official;
- payments sent to unrelated third parties under false explanations;
- repeated emergencies supported by falsified documents;
- the same photographs being used with several identities.
Police and prosecutors determine the final legal classification. Your job as the reporting victim is to present the facts, financial loss and supporting evidence clearly.
Where an American Victim Should Report the Scam
| Reporting channel | Purpose | What to include |
|---|---|---|
| Cyberpolice of Ukraine | Reports involving Internet fraud, online accounts, electronic communication and digital payment evidence | Profiles, usernames, phone numbers, correspondence, payment data, wallet addresses and documents |
| National Police of Ukraine | A statement concerning a suspected criminal offense connected with Ukraine | Chronology, financial loss, suspected persons, recipient data, evidence list and clear request |
| FBI IC3 | Cyber-enabled crime affecting a victim in the United States | Communication platforms, financial transactions, recipient accounts, crypto wallets and full narrative |
| FTC | Federal reporting of scams and fraudulent business practices | Scammer information, payment method, amount, platform and summary |
| Local U.S. police | A local incident record and additional reporting channel, especially for major losses or threats | Identification, chronology, IC3 reference and financial records |
| Bank or payment provider | Attempted recall, reversal, account review and preservation of financial records | Transaction number, recipient, date, amount and explanation that fraud is suspected |
You do not need to choose only one channel. An international romance-fraud case can reasonably be reported in both the United States and Ukraine.
How to Report Online Fraud to the Cyberpolice of Ukraine
The Cyberpolice of Ukraine operates an official electronic reporting system:
Cyberpolice Electronic Appeal System
Use this channel when the case involves:
- dating websites or apps;
- social media profiles;
- Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal or email;
- fake websites or payment pages;
- cryptocurrency wallets;
- online impersonation;
- stolen photographs;
- forged electronic documents;
- organized online communication.
Information to include
Your submission should identify:
- your full legal name;
- your country and residential address;
- your email and telephone number;
- the date and platform where contact began;
- the woman’s claimed name and location;
- every known username, phone number and email;
- the total financial loss;
- the reason given for each payment;
- the actual payment recipient;
- the facts that caused you to discover the deception;
- the evidence available.
Do not submit only a sentence such as “This woman scammed me.” Explain the sequence of events and connect every important false statement with the payment that followed it.
How to Contact the National Police of Ukraine Online
The National Police provides an official electronic appeal form:
National Police of Ukraine — Electronic Appeal
The form requests the applicant’s:
- full name;
- email address;
- telephone number;
- residential address;
- text of the appeal;
- submission date.
All mandatory fields should be completed accurately. Ukrainian law does not require a qualified electronic signature for an ordinary electronic appeal.
Do not confuse a general appeal with a crime report
A general electronic appeal may ask the police a question or report a concern. It does not automatically guarantee the opening of a criminal proceeding.
When the facts may indicate a criminal offense, clearly title the document:
Statement Concerning a Suspected Criminal Offense
For a Ukrainian-language attachment, use:
Заява про вчинення кримінального правопорушення
The statement should explicitly request:
- acceptance and registration of the report;
- entry of the relevant information into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations where legally required;
- the beginning of a pre-trial investigation;
- an extract or registration information;
- contact information for the responsible investigator or unit.
Article 214 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine states that an investigator, inquiry officer or prosecutor must enter appropriate information about a reported criminal offense into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations within 24 hours and provide the applicant with an extract after the entry is made.
In practice, disputes may arise over whether a submission contains sufficient facts indicating a criminal offense. High-value or complex cases may require assistance from a Ukrainian attorney.
Should the Report Be Written in English or Ukrainian?
An English-language report is better than no report, especially when it is first submitted to U.S. authorities.
However, Ukrainian criminal proceedings and official procedural documents are conducted in Ukrainian. A Ukrainian translation can reduce delays, misunderstandings and the risk that essential details are overlooked.
A practical submission package may contain:
- a signed English statement;
- a Ukrainian translation of the statement;
- a one-page payment table;
- a numbered evidence list;
- the most important supporting documents;
- your IC3 or U.S. police reference number, if already available.
For a major loss, do not rely on automatic translation for complicated financial or legal details without checking the result.
Evidence Checklist for a Ukrainian Romance Scam
Information about the suspected person
- claimed full name;
- alternate names and spelling variants;
- date of birth;
- claimed city and address;
- occupation and employer;
- names of relatives, friends or intermediaries;
- passport or ID information;
- dating profile links and identification numbers;
- social media links;
- phone numbers;
- email addresses;
- Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal, Skype or other usernames.
Communication evidence
- full message exports where available;
- screenshots showing dates, usernames and context;
- emails with complete headers;
- voice messages;
- video messages;
- records of video calls;
- promises about marriage, travel or repayment;
- messages explaining each financial request;
- threats, pressure or attempts to prevent verification.
Financial evidence
- date of every payment;
- amount and currency;
- payment method;
- transaction or confirmation number;
- recipient’s legal name;
- bank name;
- account number or IBAN;
- SWIFT or routing information;
- PayPal, Wise, Western Union or MoneyGram details;
- gift-card numbers and receipts;
- cryptocurrency wallet addresses;
- transaction hashes;
- screenshots of payment instructions;
- bank statements and transfer receipts.
Documents received from the woman
- passport or ID card;
- U.S. or Schengen visa;
- airline, bus or train ticket;
- medical certificate or invoice;
- marriage or divorce certificate;
- police, court or lawyer document;
- employment records;
- rental agreement;
- customs or border payment notice;
- bank statement or debt agreement.
Evidence that the story was false
- results of document verification;
- proof that the photographs belong to another person;
- matching profiles under different names;
- contradictory dates or locations;
- proof that the hospital, agency or lawyer does not exist;
- evidence that the same story was used against other victims;
- verified information about the actual payment recipient;
- records showing that promised travel was never booked.
Create a numbered evidence index. A clear list is more useful than sending hundreds of files with names such as Screenshot_1234.jpg.
How to Organize the Payment History
Prepare a table like this:
| Payment date | Amount | Method | Recipient | Reason given | Evidence file |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 4, 2026 | $1,200 | Bank wire | [Recipient name] | Emergency medical treatment | Payment-01.pdf |
| March 19, 2026 | $850 | Wise | [Recipient name] | Travel documents | Payment-02.pdf |
| April 2, 2026 | $2,000 | Cryptocurrency | [Wallet address] | Airline ticket and insurance | Payment-03.pdf |
The reason given for the payment is important. It helps demonstrate how the alleged deception caused the financial transfer.
English Template for Reporting a Ukrainian Romance Scam
Adapt this template to the facts of your case. Do not include accusations that you cannot support.
Subject: Statement Concerning a Suspected Criminal Offense — Online Romance Fraud
To the National Police of Ukraine / Cyberpolice of Ukraine:
My name is [FULL LEGAL NAME]. I am a citizen and resident of the United States. My address is [FULL ADDRESS]. My email address is [EMAIL], and my telephone number is [PHONE NUMBER].
I believe that I became the victim of an online romance fraud involving a person who claimed to be [CLAIMED NAME], born on [DATE, IF KNOWN], and living in [CLAIMED CITY AND COUNTRY].
We first communicated on [PLATFORM] on [DATE]. Her profile URL or identification number is [URL OR PROFILE ID]. We later communicated through [EMAIL / TELEGRAM / WHATSAPP / OTHER PLATFORM].
Between [START DATE] and [END DATE], I transferred a total of [TOTAL AMOUNT AND CURRENCY]. The payments were made through [BANK OR PAYMENT SERVICES] to [RECIPIENT NAMES, ACCOUNTS OR WALLET ADDRESSES].
The payments were requested for the following stated purposes: [LIST THE REASONS].
I sent the money because I relied on the following representations: [EXPLAIN THE IMPORTANT CLAIMS].
I later discovered evidence indicating that these representations may have been false: [LIST THE MAIN CONTRADICTIONS, FALSE DOCUMENTS OR IDENTITY FINDINGS].
I am providing a chronology, payment records, correspondence, profile information, photographs, documents and an evidence index.
I request that this statement be accepted and registered as a report concerning a possible criminal offense. Where the legal requirements are met, I request that the relevant information be entered into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations, that a pre-trial investigation be initiated and that I be provided with the registration information and an extract.
I am prepared to provide additional evidence and cooperate with the competent authorities.
I confirm that the information in this statement is accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Date: [DATE]
Name: [FULL NAME]
Signature: [SIGNATURE]
Ukrainian Template for the Main Statement
A Ukrainian version can accompany the English statement. Important cases should be reviewed by a qualified Ukrainian attorney before submission.
Тема: Заява про вчинення кримінального правопорушення — шахрайство у сфері онлайн-знайомств
До Національної поліції України / Департаменту кіберполіції Національної поліції України
Я, [ПОВНЕ ІМ’Я], є громадянином та мешканцем Сполучених Штатів Америки. Моя адреса проживання: [ПОВНА АДРЕСА]. Адреса електронної пошти: [EMAIL]. Номер телефону: [НОМЕР].
Вважаю, що став потерпілим від шахрайства у сфері онлайн-знайомств, до якого може бути причетна особа, яка представилася як [ЗАЯВЛЕНЕ ІМ’Я], дата народження [ЯКЩО ВІДОМА], місце проживання [ЗАЯВЛЕНЕ МІСТО ТА КРАЇНА].
Спілкування розпочалося [ДАТА] на платформі [НАЗВА ПЛАТФОРМИ]. Посилання або номер профілю: [URL АБО ID]. Надалі спілкування відбувалося через [EMAIL / TELEGRAM / WHATSAPP / ІНШИЙ СЕРВІС].
У період із [ПОЧАТКОВА ДАТА] до [КІНЦЕВА ДАТА] я переказав загалом [СУМА ТА ВАЛЮТА]. Перекази здійснювалися через [БАНКИ АБО ПЛАТІЖНІ СЕРВІСИ] на користь [ІМЕНА ОДЕРЖУВАЧІВ, РАХУНКИ АБО КРИПТОВАЛЮТНІ АДРЕСИ].
Кошти вимагалися під такими приводами: [ПЕРЕЛІК ПРИЧИН].
Я переказав кошти, покладаючись на такі повідомлені мені обставини: [ОПИС ОСНОВНИХ ТВЕРДЖЕНЬ].
Пізніше я виявив обставини, які можуть свідчити про неправдивість наданої мені інформації: [ОПИС СУПЕРЕЧНОСТЕЙ, ФАЛЬШИВИХ ДОКУМЕНТІВ АБО РЕЗУЛЬТАТІВ ІДЕНТИФІКАЦІЇ].
До заяви додаю хронологію подій, документи щодо переказів, листування, дані профілів, фотографії, отримані документи та опис доданих доказів.
Прошу прийняти та зареєструвати цю заяву як повідомлення про можливе кримінальне правопорушення. За наявності передбачених законом підстав прошу внести відповідні відомості до Єдиного реєстру досудових розслідувань, розпочати досудове розслідування та надати мені номер кримінального провадження і витяг з ЄРДР.
Готовий надати додаткові матеріали та співпрацювати з компетентними органами.
Підтверджую, що наведена інформація є правдивою відповідно до наявних у мене відомостей.
Дата: [ДАТА]
Ім’я: [ПОВНЕ ІМ’Я]
Підпис: [ПІДПИС]
How to File a Report with the FBI IC3
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center is the central U.S. channel for reporting cyber-enabled crime:
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
IC3 accepts reports involving online scams even when the suspected offender or payment recipient is outside the United States.
Your IC3 complaint should include:
- your full contact information;
- the dating site or app;
- every communication platform used;
- profile names and URLs;
- phone numbers and email addresses;
- the complete financial loss;
- bank accounts and recipient names;
- cryptocurrency wallets and transaction hashes;
- a clear chronological narrative;
- information about related reports filed elsewhere.
IC3 reports may be referred to federal, state, local, foreign or international law-enforcement partners. IC3 does not guarantee that every complainant will be contacted.
Save the confirmation information after submission and include it in later reports to your bank, local police or Ukrainian authorities.
How to Report the Scam to the FTC
Submit a separate report through:
The FTC reporting system collects information about fraud, scams and dishonest business practices.
Also report the profile to the dating app, social network or other service where the contact began. Include the platform’s response or report number in your evidence package.
Should You Contact Local Police in the United States?
A local police report can create an additional official record, especially when:
- the loss is substantial;
- you received threats or blackmail;
- your identity or financial accounts were compromised;
- money moved through a U.S. account;
- another person in the United States received or transferred funds;
- your bank requests a police report;
- you need documentation for an insurance or financial claim.
Bring a short chronology, payment table and IC3 confirmation rather than an unorganized archive of every message.
Call 911 only when someone is in immediate danger. A past online financial scam should normally be reported through the appropriate non-emergency channel.
What Happens After You Submit the Reports?
Possible outcomes include:
- a request for additional documents;
- referral to a territorial police unit;
- contact from an investigator;
- a request for a Ukrainian translation;
- verification of bank, account or subscriber information;
- combining your report with information from other victims;
- no immediate personal response;
- a decision that the available facts do not yet establish a criminal offense.
Keep a reporting log containing:
- the date of each submission;
- the organization contacted;
- the reference or registration number;
- the documents submitted;
- the name and contact information of any official;
- deadlines or additional requests;
- copies of all replies.
Do not send daily duplicate reports to the same authority. Follow up using the original reference number and provide new evidence in an organized form.
Can the Police Recover the Money?
Reporting creates a possibility of investigation. It does not guarantee recovery.
The chance of tracing or freezing money may depend on:
- how quickly the transfer was reported;
- whether the funds remain in the recipient account;
- the payment method;
- the countries involved;
- whether the recipient was the organizer or a money mule;
- whether accurate recipient details are available;
- whether other victims have reported the same people or accounts;
- the cooperation of banks, payment services and law-enforcement agencies.
Be suspicious of anyone who guarantees recovery in exchange for another upfront payment.
Beware of Recovery Scams
Romance-scam victims are frequently targeted a second time.
A supposed lawyer, investigator, hacker, government employee or cryptocurrency-recovery company may claim that:
- your money has already been found;
- the FBI or IC3 referred your case to them;
- a tax, insurance payment or release fee must be paid;
- they can hack the recipient’s wallet;
- they guarantee recovery;
- they need your banking password or wallet seed phrase.
The FBI warns that IC3 does not partner with private law firms or cryptocurrency services to recover money and will not ask victims to pay a fee.
Never provide a wallet seed phrase, banking password or remote access to your device.
Need Help Organizing a Complex Case?
An international romance-fraud case may involve thousands of messages, several identities, third-party recipients, fake documents and payments through multiple countries.
Our $400 Scam Action Roadmap is designed to help you understand how to organize and present your specific case.
Depending on the materials available, the service may include:
- a structured review of the case;
- identification of missing evidence;
- organization of the chronology;
- analysis of payment recipients;
- recommendations for documenting the deception;
- a practical reporting sequence;
- guidance on presenting the case to Ukrainian authorities;
- recommended next steps.
This is a case roadmap and evidence plan. It is not legal representation, a police investigation or a guarantee that money will be recovered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I report a Ukrainian scammer while living in the United States?
Yes. You can submit reports to U.S. authorities and use the official online channels provided by Ukrainian law enforcement. The practical handling of the Ukrainian report depends on the facts, jurisdiction and quality of the evidence.
Should I report the case to Cyberpolice or National Police?
For an online romance scam, reporting to both channels may be reasonable. Cyberpolice focuses on cyber-enabled activity, while the National Police channel can receive a statement concerning a suspected criminal offense.
Do I need to travel to Ukraine?
Not necessarily for the initial report. Many first steps can be completed online. A later investigation may require additional statements, properly translated documents or representation in Ukraine.
Do I need to know the woman’s real name?
No. Submit every identifier you have, including photographs, usernames, phone numbers, emails, payment recipients, account numbers and wallet addresses.
Can I report the scam if the money was sent to another person?
Yes. The third-party recipient may be important evidence. Explain what the woman said about the recipient and include the exact payment details.
Does a fake passport prove criminal fraud?
A fake document is important evidence but should be considered together with the financial request, correspondence, identity information and payment history.
Will Ukrainian police accept an English report?
You can initially provide English materials, but a Ukrainian translation may make processing easier. Procedural activity in Ukraine is conducted in Ukrainian.
How quickly must the police register a criminal offense report?
Article 214 of the Criminal Procedure Code provides a 24-hour rule for entering appropriate information concerning a reported criminal offense into the Unified Register. Disputes can still arise over whether a submission contains facts indicating an offense.
Will IC3 contact me after I file?
Not necessarily. IC3 states that it cannot guarantee a response to every complaint. Save your submission information and use it in related reports.
Can Ukrainian Passport file the police report for me?
Our $400 service provides a structured case review, evidence plan and practical roadmap. It does not make us your attorney, guarantee police registration or replace formal legal representation.
Can anyone guarantee that my money will be recovered?
No. Be cautious of investigators, hackers, law firms or recovery companies that promise guaranteed results or claim that government agencies referred your case to them.
Last updated in July 2026. Official forms and procedures can change. Confirm current requirements on the linked government websites before submitting your report.





